Poundland is pressing ahead with plans to open new stores, as it prepares to ‘roll out red carpet’ to mark the reopening of English and Welsh high streets next week.
Between 25 to 30 new Poundland and Dealz stores will open in the UK and ROI over the 12 months to 30 September this year, creating at least 250 more jobs (in addition to the 400 new jobs created in the current financial year).
The new stores are part of the discount retailer’s £25 million transformation programme, which launched last July.
New stores recently opened include Maesteg, Ballymena, Macclesfield and Stratford upon Avon, with new openings and relocations at Armagh Spires Retail Park, Birmingham St Andrews, Aberdeen, Broxburn, Cowes, Cookstown and Arnold.
While most of Poundland’s stores have remained open throughout the latest lockdown, not all have.
A further 43 stores will be coming out of ‘hibernation’ to open for business on 12 April in England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, following the 29 stores that opened in February.
Twelve PEP&CO standalone fashion stores in England and Wales will also reopen next Monday.
Six stores in Scotland will follow, when restrictions are lifted there later in the month.
Shoppers that haven’t visited Poundland and Dealz stores in a while will notice some ‘significant changes’ have taken place over the past year, it says. Namely revamped stores and the introduction of PEP&CO’s homewares range to 800 plus stores, and PEP&CO fashion items to 350 stores.
Over 130 stores now have chilled and frozen food, with more locations to be added in the coming months.
Every store is also getting an extended grocery range, including brands such as Nutella, Marmite and Old El Paso, from this week.
Barry Williams, Poundland managing director, said: “It is fantastic news that our high street neighbours are preparing to get back to business – not just other retailers but the cafés, gyms and hairdressers who make our town centres the vibrant places people love. We’ve missed you and are pleased you’re coming back.
“We know too that many will be making their first tentative steps back into their town centres after being away for some time – we can’t wait to welcome them and say hello.
“We’re cracking on with our transformation programme and our investment in new stores, refurbishments, new ranges and distribution. With the challenges faced by high streets, that’s good news for our customers, our colleagues and our communities.”
Share